I think this year the Christmas excitement climaxed prematurely, about the time I was sprinkling candy pieces on fresh-from-the microwave almond bark. As for the actual "event" it just didn't feel like Christmas. Ah well. It was still very enjoyable to see family.
Stephen and I met my parentals in Mound City to do the Erika-exchange and pizza last Sunday, and embarked on one of the most enjoyable weeks of the whole year. Nothing in life is all that interesting/wonderful/satisfying unless you have the right people to do it with, and one of my "people" is my sister. She makes everything great. Yeah, we didn't get out too often or do anything super-special, but just having her around and getting to share my and Stephen's little corner of the world with her really made my year. We don't have that time much anymore, so this was really special.
Stan and Mom came out Wednesday and we had a little New Year's celebration right here in our apartment. I made shrimp boil and attempted my yummy cheese fondue that turned out less than perfect. Mom brought homemade lefsa. We played Jenga and laughed at Mom's expressions and "oh-no!"'s and then played Buzzword. By this time, the hour hand was nearing its zenith and we were less than enthused. We rung in the New Year by taking a picture at about 11:58, grabbing our cheapy party favors and pathetically blew them from our 2nd story balcony. We then came back in and took another picture at 12:01ish. Soon after, we settled on the couch and watched some show about torture machines over the ages. When the three older ones shuffled off to bed, my sister and I dug in and watched Lost until the wee hours of the morning, a ritual we practiced every night following her initial hazing with episode 1.01. I must say that I am extremely pleased with my careful strategizing. I made a scoffer into believer... I knew it was possible to convert her when she confessed that she wished she was able to watch Lost when it came out in 2004. HEHE. My work here is done.
So my sister was supposed to go home Thursday, but we all agreed two more days were in order. However, Saturday Jack Frost wizzed all over the roads, so she had to stay until Sunday. My sister was cool with that and so was I... one more night! I exchanged my sister for an empty car yesterday afternoon and came home glum and teary. It all sunk in... the holidays are over and so is my sister's visit. The house was tree-less, light-less, garland-less (thanks to my awesome hubby!). My sister's clutter of belongings left a void, and so did her footy-pajama'd self. :-( Today she texted me to let me know she was watching Lost. I watched the same episode she was to feel somewhat closer to her. It was better than nothing, but not the same.
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